Top 6 Best SoundBars For Projector Audio – Which Should You Buy?

Meetings, Gatherings, and various occasions require sound systems or recordings so the best speakers are needed to convey amazing clarity from the projectors. Is it true that you are someone who appreciates the use of projectors but needs more superior experience? So you need a decent soundbar for the projector.

Many modern projectors consist of built-in speakers which are large enough for a small group of people in your home, but they struggle to the last breath and end up with distorted sound in outdoor gatherings with noisy environments.

So if you want mesmerizing sound experience, you need to have the best soundbar for your projector. But finding the best is not that easy. There are many buying factors that you have to keep in mind before buying a soundbar for your projector. So in this article, I will review the top 6 soundbars which are compatible with all kinds of projectors.

What’s the Difference Between 2.1 And 3.1 Sound Bar?

Soundbars are a must if you want to fully enjoy a fascinating and cinematic home theater experience. Buying a soundbar can be fun, but the technical jargon can be confusing to beginners.

Most people don’t understand what is the difference between a 2.1 and 3.1 soundbar. Here I am telling you the basic differences between them.

Soundbar Channels

A 2.1-channel soundbar consists of two channels or two places from which its sound is amplified: one to the left and one to the right of the bar. This function is shown by the “2” in “2.1”. It also has a subwoofer, hence the number 1 after the point.

On the other side, the 3.1-channel soundbar consists of three audio channels: one to the left, one to the right and one right is in the middle. It also has one subwoofer.

Soundbar Setup

When we talk about soundbar setups, a 2.1 setup is a basic setup. A soundbar with a 2.1 setup is definitely an improvement on your TV’s built-in audio. You have clear sound from the left and right speakers but they can’t offer a highly dynamic surround sound experience that a more advanced setup would.

A soundbar 3.1 setup is changed from a 2.1 soundbar and usually, it is a bit more expensive. Since you add the center channel speakers inside this soundbar, it is adding more dynamic sound. There is no need to add rear speakers for a true surround sound experience. But you add more sound and dimension that fills the space with the extra channel. It definitely brings it closer to a surround sound feeling.

Design

Because of the additional center channel, 3.1 soundbars are larger than 2.1. Not everyone has the space to have a larger soundbar. So if you have a smaller space, a 2.1 may be enough to meet the standards that a 3.1 soundbar can do.

Price

Both soundbars have left and right channels, but adding dialog-enhancing center speakers to the 3.1 soundbars increases their prices. You can expect to pay 1 to 1.5 times more for a 3.1 soundbar than for a 2.1.

6 Best Soundbar for Projector – Reviews

We have selected the 6 best soundbars to review. You will have no problem connecting any of these soundbars to your projector, and each has its weaknesses and advantages. When you have all the information, it will be easier to choose the best soundbar for you.

1. Sonos Arc
2. Sonos One SL
3. Sony HT-SF150 2ch
4. Soundbar, MEGACRA TV Sound Bar
5. Sony HT-SF200 2.1
6. Sony HT-SD35 Bluetooth 2.1

1. Sonos Arc – The Premium Smart Soundbar (Best Dolby Atmos Soundbar for Projector)

Sonos Arc is an optimized soundbar that offers a superior surround sound experience without the need for additional speakers. If you want a minimal surround sound package and have a rectangular home theater, the Sonos Arc is a great all-in-one surround sound system.

The first time I listened to music and watched movies on my Sonos system (Arc plus sub-combo), my jaw dropped. I did a lot of research and the verdict was unanimous. Nothing comes close to this killer combination.

• Sonorous Sounds with HDMI ARC Dependability

The best thing is that Sonos Arc uses an HDMI ARC connection. You can connect the space-saving Sonos Arc directly to your projector, indirectly to your projector, by connecting it to source media such as your cable box or BD player, or by connecting the two devices in series.

• Dolby Atmos for Immersive Three-Dimensional Sound

It supports Dolby Atmos for immersive three-dimensional sound, with 11 drivers for powerful, balanced sound across the entire frequency range.

• Trueplay Room Correction

The Sonos Arc has a good stereo-frequency response. With a compatible iOS device, you can use the app to access the Trueplay room correction feature. Trueplay optimizes audio automatically, and playback based on the unique acoustic properties of your room. When this feature is activated, it has a fairly bright sound profile with added emphasis on the treble range.

• Control Smart Home Devices

The Arc’s built-in microphones can be used to summon Alexa and Google Assistant. Like any of the best Alexa speakers or the best Google Home speakers, the soundbar can provide a weather report and control smart home devices like lights and locks. But Calls and drop-ins are not supported.

Specifications

2. Sonos One SL (Best Build Quality and Sound)

To put it simply, the Sonos One SL is a Sonos One, but without microphones. It may not offer the flexibility of the Roam or the soundstage of the Move, but with the same design and internals as the Sonos One, the SL is another fantastic Sonos speaker and one that fulfills the needs of those who are also looking for a little more privacy.

I used this brand new audio system as rear placements hoping to offer a fuller sound withinside the room. Setting up the new speakers only took a few minutes with the excellent Sonos APP, which includes an automatic sound check. I tested the sound by playing a 4K movie and noticed an immediate improvement

• Apple Airplay 2

It has Bluetooth low energy but only for setup. The One SL does not support Bluetooth streaming. Are we missing it? No, no we do not. The One SL is all about Apple Airplay 2, which means you can stream anything: music physically on your phone, Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple Music, Deezer, Netflix (and 100 streaming services in total) from an iPhone.

• Two Class-D Digital Amplifiers

The sound and acoustic properties of the One and One SL are identical. Inside there are two digital class D amplifiers, a mid-range speaker, and a tweeter, which together create a comfortable soundstage, which can be best described as warm and accurate.

• Compact Design

It has a compact design, it can fit almost any space and can be placed on your kitchen counter or stored on your office shelf.

Specifications

3. Sony HT-SF150 2ch Single Soundbar with Bluetooth (Best Connectivity)

The Sony HTSF150 Slim Soundbar can be wall-mounted or placed under your TV. The loudspeakers of the device were developed on the basis of Sony’s virtual SForce surround sound technology and offer an output of 120 watts.

It is good for dialogue. With this soundbar, you can listen to language-oriented content such as podcasts, audiobooks, or TV shows. The sound profile is fairly neutral, although slightly muddy, and the overall vocal reproduction is accurate.

• 4 inputs

Using the Sony HT-SF150 to play music or television is pleasant thanks to its 4 inputs. Unsurprisingly, the device has both HDMI and optical inputs. The HTSF150 also has a rear USB port and Bluetooth connectivity.

• Bluetooth

Bluetooth functionality allows music to be seamlessly streamed from a wide variety of devices, including phones, without the need for additional cables or complex setups.

• Connects via an HDMI ARC cable

The connection is made via an HDMI ARC cable, so you can control your TV and soundbar with the same remote.

• Specifications

4. Soundbar, MEGACRA TV Sound Bar (Best Budget Soundbar for Your Projector)

This Soundbar is well made; solid, perfectly packed with everything you need, and has good connectivity. The soundbar was quick and easy to install. I was immediately impressed by the multitude of accessories supplied, with which the device can be connected via phono, headphone, optical connections, or Bluetooth. This soundbar is great value for money and sound.

• Multiple Wireless and Wired Connections

It can easily connect to the SoundBar via Bluetooth 5.0 or Standard Audio Cable Connection, RCA, and Optical Input.

• Enhanced bass

It features 3-inch full-range drivers and two bass ports that deliver richer, deeper bass and enhance a loud room-filling sound without distortion.

• 3 different EQ modes

It uses the remote control to adapt your soundbar to your favorite sound with 3 different Equalizer modes (film, music, dialogue)

Specifications

5. Sony HT-SF200 2.1 Channel Compact SoundBar (Best Design)

Sony has introduced a new compact soundbar with the HTSF200 to enhance the sound of your TV and projector. It has a 2.1 channel design with a built-in subwoofer and can be controlled with the same remote control as your Sony TV.

• Built-In Subwoofer

Sony’s HT-SF200 soundbar has a built-in subwoofer that can save space in your living room and connects wirelessly to compatible TVs so you don’t have to worry about a cable.

• Connectivity

With a single cable in the HDMI ARC port, you can connect your soundbar to the TV. You can control both with a single remote control and connect wirelessly to the latest Sony Android TV. You can also stream from your phone or tablet using the built-in Bluetooth functions, or play music via the USB port.

• Surround Sound Technology

Its virtual surround sound technology in conjunction with Dolby Digital decoders ensures that you feel right in the middle of the action with cinema-style surround sound.

Specifications

6. Sony HT-SD35 Bluetooth 2.1 Sound Bar with Wireless Subwoofer (High Power Soundbar)

The Sony HTS350 soundbar offers a wide range of audio modes and some serious thunder from its wireless subwoofer at a surprisingly affordable price. The Sony HTS350 is designed to focus more on providing great audio quality than on specific functions.

• Connectivity

In terms of connectivity, the HTS350 has an HDMI (ARC) output and an optical input, including an optical cable. There is also an IR repeater on the back to transmit the signal from the remote control to the television.

• 320 watts of power

The HTS350 can be quite loud with up to 320 watts of power, but we should first measure our expectations.

• Wireless Playback

The Sony HT-S350 soundbar supports Bluetooth connectivity, letting you wirelessly stream audio from your mobile devices to the bar.

Specifications

How to Connect Soundbar to Projector?

In general, it’s possible to connect a soundbar to a projector if your devices have compatible connectors. Connecting your projector to your soundbar is usually as simple as connecting it with the right cable. If you have a wired connection, make sure that both devices are turned off when you make connections.

Options for Connecting a Soundbar to a Projector

Different audio and video connections are available, and each projector and soundbar has a limited number of audio inputs and outputs. The trick to connecting a soundbar to a projector and getting the best results possible is to identify a compatible output on the projector with a compatible input on the soundbar, prioritizing the highest-quality connection types.

Your projector can support any of the following formats for streaming audio to a soundbar:

Connect a Soundbar to a Projector with HDMI

HDMI is the best option for connecting a soundbar to a projector as it offers the highest quality sound and supports more than two channels of audio. To connect a soundbar to your projector via HDMI you have to take these steps:

• Turn off the soundbar and the projector.
• Connect an HDMI cable to an HDMI or HDMI ARC output port on your projector.
• Connect the other end to an HDMI or HDMI ARC input on your soundbar.
• Connect a media input device such as a streaming device, laptop, or Blu-ray player to your projector.
• Switch on your devices.
• If necessary, set the audio output of your projector to HDMI and the audio input of your soundbar to HDMI.

Connecting a Soundbar to a Projector Using an Analog Connection

There are two types of analog connections on projectors and soundbars: RCA connectors and 3.5mm TRRS connectors. These ports are supported so you can connect the 3.5mm output on a projector to the stereo RCA inputs on a soundbar if you have the right adapter. You can connect a Soundbar to a Projector Using an Analog Connection by following these steps:

• Turn off both devices.
• Connect the left and right channel RCA cables to the RCA outputs on your projector or connect a 3.5mm auxiliary cable to the 3.5mm audio jack on your projector.
• Connect the other end of your cable (s) to the appropriate input (s) on your projector.
• Connect your input devices to the projector.
• Turn on your devices.
• If necessary, set the projector’s sound output to analog and the soundbar input to analog.

Connecting a Soundbar to a Projector Using Digital Optical or SPDIF

Optical audio connections Use a square Toslink port while SPDIF is a digital connection that can use a TosLink or RCA port. Before you try to use one of these connections, check the input in your soundbar and the output of your projector to make sure that they are compatible if you have sure that your soundbar and projector are compatible so follow these steps to make the connection:

• Turn off both devices.
• Plug one end of your TOSLINK or RCA-SPDIF cable into the corresponding output on your projector.
• Connect the other end of the cable to a compatible input on your soundbar.
• Connect your input device to your projector.
• Switch on the devices.
• If necessary, set the audio output of your projector to the optical, digital, or SPDIF output and the input of your soundbar to the corresponding input connection.

Connect a Soundbar to a Projector via Bluetooth

If both the projector and soundbar support Bluetooth, all you need to do is pair the two devices. This type of connection is subject to interference from other electronic and wireless devices, so the quality of sound you experience may not always be consistent. Here are a few steps to connect a soundbar to a projector by Bluetooth:

• Turn on the soundbar and enable pairing mode.
• Activate Bluetooth in the setup menu of your projector and search for the soundbar.
• Accept the connection and enter a pairing code if necessary.
• The soundbar should automatically connect to the projector in the future when both are turned on.

How to Choose Soundbar for Projector – Buying Guide

When looking for the best soundbar for your projector, you need to know exactly what to look out for. You will not want to get a sound system that doesn’t suit your projector or probably doesn’t suit your tastes and inclinations. Here are some factors to consider before buying a Soundbar:

Soundbar Size

To avoid haggling over the style of your home, get a soundbar that is suited for the size of your projector. For example, a soundbar that is too short near a large television is certainly not attractive. The same is true if you have a small television and an extremely long soundbar which also looks awkward.

Connections to Projector and Other Gadgets

While most soundbars are compatible with all types of Projectors, there are some similarities. For example, if your projector has an HDMI input, make sure the soundbar of your choice supports the HDMI connection. Other information alternatives include simple and advanced optics or coaxial.

Wireless Streaming and Remote Control

Wouldn’t it be nice to just sit back on the couch and control your entertainment system without having to walk around the room? All in all, most soundbars come with a controller. Just make sure it is actually saved for your preferred soundbar.

It would also be great if the soundbar could be customized to work with your TV remote control. This would save you the headache of having multiple controllers everywhere.

Another thing your soundbar may need is remote streaming. You can easily listen to the music stored on your mobile phone, tablet, or PC via a soundbar with Bluetooth technology.

Subwoofer

While it is not necessary to have a subwoofer, a subwoofer is important to most audiophiles. The purpose behind this is that it adds the regularly stimulating bass. Most soundbars accompany another subwoofer in a cubic office. Subwoofers are made, but just as attractive. In that regard, if you love bass, this is a key idea.

SoundBars For Projector – FAQs

Conclusion

For an enthusiast of the movie, clarity and sound quality are the most important factors. So we’ve reviewed some of the best projector soundbars available based on sound quality, utility, and durability to make it easy for you to select the best one.

The amazing thing about soundbars is that they offer high-quality sound in a compact package, often at a better price; much better value for money than other types of speakers. Considering your space and budget, as well as sound quality, you will be sure to find something that meets all of your sonic needs.